Soludo promises of Obiano’s release as cleric, Umeh, group berate detention – Nexus News
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has disclosed that his predecessor, Willie Obiano, who is presently being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), will be free soon.
Soludo, who said this during a thanksgiving service at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Isuofia, his home town, said: “Obiano is a good man and he did his best for Anambra State. He will be released soon.”
Former Governor Willie Obiano was arraigned by the EFCC briefly after leaving office on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, as he was about to travel to the United States of America (USA).
He was, thereafter, moved to EFCC’s detention facility in Abuja, where he was given strict bail conditions, including provision of two top public servants who must be land owners in Abuja as sureties.
Berating Obiano’s arraignment and detention, a cleric, Emmanuel Obimma, portrayed Obiano’s ordeal to ethnic coloration, saying: “The Fulani cabal was at work in collaboration with some Igbo leaders.”
Obimma, who is the head of Adoration Ministry in Ike, Idemili South Council, showed concern that some top Igbo persons were excited over Obiano’s ordeal, rather than supporting him, emphasizing that Obiano’s plight is an act of witch-hunting.
He debated that the immediate past governor of Anambra State could not have been arraigned and detained for misuse of public funds, as, according to him, there were several thieves in the country, who have been accused, but have never been arrested and detained.
ALSO, former representative of Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh, implored the EFCC to free Obiano after taking his statement.
Umeh, who is former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said this while speaking at the 80th birthday of Prof. Uzodimma Nwala, explaining that Obiano did well as governor.
“Obiano’s arrest is not new in Nigeria. When most governors leave office, EFCC swoops on them. He must be given the right of fair hearing. We don’t know why they arrested him.
“One thing I keep telling people is that former governor Obiano did well with Anambra money. He used our money well to the displeasure of opposition elements and they don’t want to accept that fact,” he said.”
BESIDES, the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ANSTRC) has also chided the inhuman treatment of Obiano in EFCC’s custody where Obiano was seen with a red short and white T-shirt.
In a communique issued by the Obi of Onitsha and chairman of the council, HRM Nnaemeka Achebe, the group showed disappointment that the EFCC treated someone of Obiano’s status in such a distasteful and offensive manner.
Read Also: APC chairmanship seat narrows to Adamu, Akume, Al-Makura, Musa after Sheriff’s exit
ANSTRC, therefore, implored President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney General of Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to summon EFCC to order as regarding the condition Obiano is being subjected to.
MEANWHILE, in its reaction yesterday in Abuja, the EFCC stated that Obiano’s arrest and detention have no political undertones, as it is being said in some quarters.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on the sidelines of fifth Annual General Assembly (AGA) of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), chairman of the commission, noted that Obiano was yet to perfect the conditions the EFCC required for his release on bail.
Chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, reiterated that his arrest has nothing to do with politics, stressing that the EFCC was a professional organization.
